San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-23
WOMAN'S LOVE.

-: spirits OF DARKNESS nave nn"''r q.
work evil to those whom they find
abroad. Let us go home"
Il have no home, Koturua. All is
full Of the blackness of despair. Let
me diel"
But Koturua, by dint of coaxing and
soothing, at last prevailed upon her to
rise and step out upon the path.
The moon had risen, and was bath
ing everything with flood of silvery
whiteness. All looked so calm and
peaceful that the two poor grief-strick-
en- women paused instinctively to look
around.
How beautiful-how peaceful does
it all looki But the moon is heartless;
see how she smiles at me and my painl
1t seems like ages and ages since put
down those calabasheS to listen to
what TIE ORR had to tell me; and, oh,
what wicked thoughts have been in my
heart since thenl was planning, as l
lay yonder, how would smile on the
bride when she came, and hasten to
bring her food with my own hands,
taking care that it was well seasoned
with sweet-taSting poison; and then
how / would take dose myself, and
20 and lay my head on my children's
grave and die. What shall L do? What
shall | do? l must go away, kOtmua;
the wickedness is so strong within me
that know / should kill her!"
KOturua had only just succeeded in
getting her home when there was rap
at the door, and TIE Ori's voice asked if
Miriama was there.
"Why do you wake an old woman
from her sleep?" grumbled KOturua.
"Yes, she is here"
"Do you lie?" he aked suspiciously,
putting his head within the door.
"Te ORR is a great chief" sneered the
old woman, in rage. He insults the
kinswoman of his wifel Am | dog?"
"You are prating old fool" he be-
gan angrily, when Miriama's soft voice
interrupted him.
Il am here, TIE ORR. Say not hard
words to Koturua."
See that you stay therel" he an
swered roughly, closing the door with
bang and walking away.
The next morning Miriama was
reused from an uneasy sleep by kOtu-
rua.
wake, my child, and be strongl TIE
ORR comesl"
A moment later he entered the uhdre
and stood looking at her with scowl
on his brow.
Il am about to start. Have you any
good wishes for mep he asked mOodi-
what would you have me say, TIE
Orip" she asked gently.
"Miriama was never the one to lack
ready speech before"
"Miriama was never a deserted wife
before" she reminded him gently. 1T
is not possible for me to wish you other
than good wishes, TIE ORR, for love
you so; but | feel like some tender
creeper that has been rudely torn from
the support of sturdy tree where it
has been twining in peace and securi-
ty for years. There is nothing left for
it to do but to die, unless some gentle
hand will wind it once more round its
then put forth fresh tendrils, and may
be grow closer than everl Is it too late,
husbandp Miriama was already proud;
you can guess then how deep is her
love when she stoops to plead once
more. All, frown not so darkly; she
pleads as much for you as for herself,
for you are about to commit great
sim"
Have done! Twas not for this l
came to you. Tomorrow evening L
shall be home again. You will meet
me with smile, won't you, Miriama%
and he held out his hand almost
pleadingly.
will nothing 1 can say stop you from
going?"
Nothing" he answered CURLY, the
frown returning to his brow. "Remem-
Der my words of last night, and dare
not to leave the kdingd. Good-byel"
Goodbye, TIE ORR" she responded
quietly, though she was trembling so
much that she could hardly stand;
"but, before you go-while you are yet
all mine-take me in your arms for the
last time and say you do not quite hate
mel"
He complied at once, drawing her in
to a close embrace, and kissing her lips
again and again, whispering as he did
So
Don't be little fool any more, Miri-
anna, and grieve the heart of your hus-
band. TheTe-and therel will take
those kisses back when l meet you
again." and he turned away with a
strange moisture in his brown eyes.